How to build a mixborder from shrubs and perennials
Content
What is it
Mixborder is a special combination of different plants to create a continuous flowering effect. The name is derived from the English words mix - to mix and border - border. The basis for planting is perennial plants, some types of ornamental shrubs; annual and biennial flowers and herbs are used as an additional decoration. There is a formula by which the size of the mixborder is calculated - the width should not exceed 2 times the height of the tallest plant.
In essence, the main task when creating a mixborder is to select plants that will bloom one after another. The catch, usually, is that the plants that have already faded do not spoil the appearance of the composition later. Difficulties await the gardener not only at the stage of creation, but also when caring for the composition. Perennial mixborders must be: watered regularly in accordance with the wishes of flowers, shrubs, herbs; cut to prolong flowering, or remove a defect; fertilize, carry out disease prevention; transplant on time.
Video "DIY Mixborder"
This video presents a selection on creating mixborders using shrubs and various colors.
Layout
The main difference between a mixborder and ordinary curbs, ridges and alpine slides is the dense planting of plants, they seem to flow into one another. In this case, do not forget about the basis, so to speak, the skeleton, landing. The backbone is tall shrubs or trees. The layout can be divided into three broad phases:
- Soil preparation, planting outline. For example, divide the selected area into 3-4 unequal zones. In the background there will be lush bushes, trees. Flowers or grasses with tall stems are brought to the middle ground. They are followed by medium-sized varieties. In the foreground, stunted and ground cover flowers are comfortably located.
- Working out the semantic load of the mixborder. That is, the definition of its function in the garden: the decoration of artificial reservoirs, stairs, garden paths or the beautification of the porch of the house.
- Landing height and viewing angle. It is important to determine the upper limit for the growth of the selected plants in order to accurately select the transition patterns. If the plants "interrupt" each other - it will turn out ugly. It is also important to determine the viewing angle so that it does not accidentally turn out to be "backwards" to the visitors of the garden.
For the convenience of further parsing the plan - give code names to each zone. Having finished with the layout, you can start choosing the colors that will create the basis for the composition.
Choice of colors
There are some helpful guidelines for choosing colors for your mixborder. Firstly, you should not densely plant perennials prone to overgrowth. Secondly, do not overuse bearded irises - after flowering, they will ruin the appearance of the planting. The following shrubs and ornamental trees are suitable for the green base of the composition:
- boxwood;
- Lawson's cypress;
- Bergman pine;
- scaly juniper;
- spirea;
- bloodroot;
- chubushnik;
- willow;
- viburnum.
If desired, you can supplement or replace the above types in order to get not only lush greenery in the background, but also beautiful, expressive flowers:
- Meyer's lilac;
- magnolia;
- jasmine;
- hydrangea;
- elder;
The following plants are suitable for the middle and foreground:
- phlox;
- bush and creeping roses;
- delphinium;
- asters;
- geychera;
- tulips;
- hyacinths;
- violets;
- bells;
- hybrid carnation;
- irises;
- lilies;
- eustoma.
Herbs will help to complement the composition. On the one hand, they will provide a natural cushion of greenery for small and medium-sized flowers, and on the other, they will add fresh notes to the scent created by the mixborder. In addition, some medicinal herbs can later be used for homemade preparations.
Pay attention to:
- saffron;
- mountain arnica;
- marshmallow medicinal;
- oregano;
- calendula;
- plantain;
- thyme;
- medicinal sage;
- wormwood medicinal.
Step by step arrangement
The schemes for creating a mixborder are numerous and, in fact, limited only by your patience and capabilities. Having decided what plants you want to see in the composition, having drawn a planting plan, you can start realizing your fantasies. The first step is to start planting trees and shrubs according to your plan. They should be planted at different distances, so that there is room for plants in the middle and foreground.
This asymmetry will help freshen up the look, and will also give room for filling niches. The second stage is the planting of tall and medium-sized perennials. When planting them, monitor the density of the plants so that those that tend to grow have a small space around for this.
The third stage is bulbous plants. It is they who play the role of a bright element in the middle ground of the mixborder. During the flowering period (different types of bulbous flowers bloom from early spring to early autumn), they will fill the gaps with their flowers, and since the composition implies a combination of flowers from different flowering periods, you will get continuous flowering.
The fourth step is planting flowers and herbs in the foreground. It is here that ground cover and undersized flowers will be located, forming a blooming carpet. Not only perennial flowers can be placed in the foreground, add annual varieties to refresh the appearance of the mixborder every year. Feel free to experiment with the filling, shape and look of your mixborder. And also be patient, because such beauty grows for a long time.
Video "Mixborder Creation"
A step-by-step guide to creating an original mixborder in a garden with your own hands.